PHC Zebras are mourning the death of a second former player in the space of two months after yesterday’s news that Derek Russell, an outstanding defender during the 1970s, had died at the age of 63.

Russell’s death follows that of a player from a later era at PHC, Des Minors, who died in May.

Russell came from a footballing family, the son of Earl “Townsey” Russell and the older brother of Dale, both talented players for Zebras.

Ed Durham, who played with Russell Sr and later coached Derek, remembers him as a superb left back.

“He was a terrific player, had beautiful control with his left foot and could play up front or at the back, very talented,” said Durham, a former PHC stalwart.

“His brother Dale was another talented one, but Derek was just as good, an outstanding player.

“He played for Bermuda as well. He was a good ball handler and could use both feet. He was a young Townsey. On and off the field he was always a very good guy.”

Ed “Beaver” Burrows, a PHC goalkeeper during the 1970s and ‘80s, remained a good friend of Russell after their playing days ended. “He will be a big loss, he was a good player back in the day,” said Burrows.

“We had good times together both on and off the field and we kept the friendship forever. He started [playing] a year before me, in 1968, while I started in ‘69. We won the Triple Crown together in 1970-71.”

Some of the players at PHC at the time included Burrows, Leroy “Nibs” Lewis, Noel Simons, Dale Russell, Roger Butterfield, the late Marischal “Mop” Astwood and Stan Young.

“Derek stopped playing before me and when we stopped that’s when we formed the PHC Raiders,” Burrows recalled. “He played a couple of games.”

Chris Furbert, a former player and club president, played a season or two with Russell in the PHC first team. “It goes without saying that this is definitely a loss,” Furbert said.

“Derek was what I called one of the silent heroes of Pembroke Hamilton Club.

“He was a pretty firm left back, very knowledgeable about the game and a very easy going person who was very hard to dislike.

“He was a good defender, read the game well and was one of the nicest people you would want to know as it relates to sports.

“Definitely a gentleman of the game.”